If you talk with pretty much any couple within UME they will tell you about the sense of belonging. That if you walk into a room full of encountered couples, whether you know them or not, you are instant family. We know you’re agreeing with us right now. It’s an incredible feeling.
So, how do we convince newly encountered couples or, even couples who were encountered a while ago but just never managed to get involved, of this sense of belonging? Well it’s about a word we heard a few years ago from Steve Chapman at a regional ECL : Investment.
We provide the feeling of belonging through investing our time and resources in these couples with the expectation and the blessing that we will be a part of their growth and their testimony. Bet you’ve got a mix of “warm feelings” and “how in the world?” right now, huh? Kinda like getting one of those gigantic super tall milkshakes with the crazy toppings and thinking “I can’t wait and I’ll never be able to eat it all.” And it’s up to all of us, not just team couples or community execs or the leadership, but every single one of us.
As a couple, we are currently studying the Book of Acts. The church during those early years was inside people’s homes, not a grand building. These people were breaking bread together, caring for each other’s kids, and sharing expenses. They shared joys and struggles and held each other accountable to the teachings of Christ. Sounds daunting, we know, but wouldn’t it be comforting to know that we aren’t just some name on someone’s list that is called twice a year to serve on a weekend; that our motto, “a community of caring couples” which is spoken of so much throughout the weekend is really true; that we can stand firm on the fact that this ministry is about serving them, not how they can serve us.
We want to challenge you to reach out this week to someone in UME that you haven’t spoken to in a while. Send them an email or text or better yet call them or mail them a card. Are you a super achiever? Open your home up to couples. Invite them in for coffee or a meal. Don’t wait for CORE to gather. You have to eat…make a bit more, forget about the mess, and have a meal together. Real life, no masks.
An ember dies when it’s not within the fire. We need each other to keep our flames burning not just for UME, but for our marriages and most importantly for Christ. And you know what the absolute best part of all of this is? It’s not just them who receive the blessing, the sense of belonging, but you as well. Let’s all make this commitment together. We can’t wait until it’s our turn to break bread with you.
Many blessings and much love,
Jon & Tammy Fleischer
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